Inspiration

Steering Committee

Overall governance of S4C is provided by a steering committee comprised of Superintendents of each county school district along with a representative from UCSC, CSUMB and the President of Cabrillo College. While the committee is chaired by the Executive Director, all decisions are consensus-based.

University of Washington, Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership and Policy StudiesSeattle University, Master of TeachingUniversity of California, Santa Cruz, Bachelor of Arts, Modern Literatures4c@santacruzcoe.org831-466-5814

Joy Brittain serves as the director of early outreach and support programs at California State Unversity Monterey Bay. Prior to joining CSUMB, Brittain was the director of the Upward Bound Math/Science Program at Pasadena City College.

Dr. Brittain has a B.A. in Biology and Religion, M.Div in Theology/Family Counseling, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Kris Munro currently serves as the superintendent of Santa Cruz City Schools. Munro has served in a variety of leadership postions in the district, most recently as assistant superintendent for educational services.

Dr. Laurel Jones has had a distinguished, 30-year career serving California’s Community Colleges. Prior to her current role as president and superintendent of Cabrillo College, she was president of Mission College in Santa Clara, a community college in the West Valley-Mission Community College District with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students per year.

Laurie Bruton is Superintendent of the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School Disctrict. Prior to joining the district, she was assistant superintendent of human resources for Whittier City School District.

She brings an amazing wealth of experience. Maria became the EPC Executive Director in 2012 -- she joined the EPC in 2006 as an Assistant Director, and in 2007 was promoted to director of GEAR UP programs in Pajaro Valley and North and South Monterey County.

Mary Gaukel Forster has been a teacher and an administrator for over 27 years. She taught grades 1-12 and has been an elementary principal, a high school assistant principal, an alternative school principal and a director of curriculum and instruction. Mary holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Santa Clara University, a Teaching Credential and a Bachelors Degree in English and Spanish from San Jose State University.

Michael Watkins began his teaching career with the Oakland Public Schools and from there went to work for the Alameda County Office of Education. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology, Life-Time Teaching Credentials in secondary and special education, and a Masters in School Administration.

Tamra Taylor is the superintendent of the Live Oak School District. Prior to joining, Taylor served for may years in the San Juan Unified School District, as a teacher, vice principal, elementary school principal, program coordinator, and director of schools and programs.

Dr. Taylor has a B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.